JEF United Chiba manager Amar Osim has admitted the weight of expectation surrounding Seiichiro Maki has started to take its toll but is confident his star striker can get through an end-of-term slump.
JEF United Chiba midfielder Yuki Abe reacts after scoring a goal in the Nabisco Cup final against the Kashima Antlers at National Stadium on Friday. JEF United won 2-0.
KYODO PHOTOMaki, a surprise late inclusion in Japan's World Cup squad last summer, has not scored since September and a recent must-do-better warning from Japan Football Association chief Saburo Kawabuchi has done little for the former ice hockey player's confidence.